Jarius King
Dance
Chicago, IL
Dance
Jarius “ManOfGod” King is a performing artist and Black Arts instructor primarily based out of his hometown of Chicago, but also Hong Kong. He began dancing in 2000 via the art of Breaking shortly after undergoing surgery for scoliosis. Since then, he has become versed in multiple disciplines of movement under the Street Dance umbrella. His career highlights include: 60+ competitive accomplishments (Breaking, House, Hip-Hop, Open Styles), judge committee member and co-author for HKDSF’s initial coaching curriculum for Breaking in the Olympics, co-director of “Breakin’ The Law” festival (2003-2014), University of Wisconsin-Madison “Forward Under 40” Award, 2023 Dark Matter Resident Artist at Elastic Arts, and 2024 Ragdale residency awardee. Inspired by Stateside Black cultural art forms, Kung Fu cinema, and his experiences as a Chicago native, King’s artistic focus has always been to foster connection and community across racial, cultural, social, and geographic, and other boundaries.